Fenech launches pre-budget document consultation on women

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech highlighted the important role women play in society, whether they decide to pursue a career or choose to stay at home.

Launching the first consultation meeting on the pre-budget document, expected to be published in June or July, Fenech said government recognised the important role women had to play and this time it chose to hold a group discussion in which the relevant stakeholders would be able to voice their ideas, suggestions and concerns.

In fact, the media was only invited to attend the minister's introduction, unlike the customary business breakfasts in which the media remain for the whole event.

"Government has always recognised the women's important role," Fenech reiterated. "In fact, in previous budgets we created several measures and incentives which were not only family-friendly but which also encouraged the women to return to the labour market."

Fenech said he hoped that during the consultation meeting, other issues would be tackled which would not necessarily be related to the economic activity but which would be more from a "social perspective".

The finance minister recalled government's decision to extend maternity leave from 16 weeks to 18 weeks as from next January and amendments to the legislation which now protects pregnant women on probation at work from being fired due to their pregnancy.

Fenech reiterated government's investment in childcare centres and the number of tax incentives which favoured working parents.

Despite government's best intentions to see an increase in female participation, this still remains a challenge in Malta.

Although active women in the labour market has jumped from 33.5% in 2004 to 41.1% in 2011, discrimination against women in the workplace remains high. The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality continues to receive complaints on a regular basis, which include alleged discriminatory application forms for jobs; allegations of sexual harassment on the workplace; and allegations of dismissal from work over pregnancy.

Another problem is the lack of female representation in parliament. In Malta, the highest female representation was registered in 1951, when four women out of 40 MPs (10%) were elected in parliament. Today, there are only six women out of 69 MPs (8.7%).

One suggested solution for the lack of representation was that political parties should be committed in having equal representation of women and men. According to a study published by the EU's directorate-general for internal policies, quota regulations increase the participation of women.

On the other hand, government has already made it clear that so far it has no intention of introducing gender quotas to ensure balance in Parliament.

In comments to The Times, a spokesman for Family Minister Chris Said said that: "Gender balance and increased female participation in Parliament can be achieved through different ways and means other than through the setting of quotas."